DSLR or Mirrorless?

21 September 2018 12:43:27 PM AEST

With cameras on smartphones improving every day, it is easy to forget about the importance of a dedicated digital camera.

When you're looking for more features and better image quality, you'll be looking at a DSLR or Mirrorless camera, but what are they, and what is the difference?

What will you be shooting with your camera?

This is the first and most important question to ask yourself when considering a new camera purchase.

The answer to this question will be a major factor in deciding what type of camera is best suited to you. Do you want a camera to take along on overseas holidays? Do you need a camera to document your growing family? Are you looking to go on outdoor adventures and photograph nature?

These types of photography will require a different camera and set of accessories and when you also factor in your budget, you should be well on your way to figuring out what camera is best for you.

If you are just looking to improve your happy snaps then a point and shoot digital camera will probably do, but for something more specific you will need something more advanced.

DSLR (digital single lens reflex) Cameras

A huge step-up from your smartphone camera, the Digital SLR market is up there with the most popular currently.

DSLRs are popular for their versatility, with interchangeable lenses and a wide range of accessories available leaving them suited to tackle almost any photographic situation.

There is a learning curve involved with the purchase of a DSLR but in the long run, you will be happy with your purchase and the photographs you can produce. For shooting distant objects such as wildlife, you can include a telephoto zoom lens with your purchase. For low-light shooting, you can purchase a lens with a large aperture, or even an external flash unit.

These extra accessories, along with the overall leap in quality give the DSLR an obvious advantage over point and shoot or smartphone cameras, but the need for a mirror in their design results in an increased size and weight, which may or may not be suitable to your situation.

Mirrorless or CSC (compact system) Cameras

Steadily increasing in popular, mirrorless cameras have similar functionality to Digital SLRs but they come in a smaller and lighter package due to them not including a mirror in their build.

This portability makes them perfect for carrying around for longer periods, such as when you are travelling. Like Digital SLR cameras they have interchangeable lenses, although many brands do not have the same variety that a developed DSLR brand does.

Purists may be wary of their lack of optical viewfinder, but with electronic viewfinders improving all the time, this is not much a drawback. In terms of quality, Mirrorless cameras are up there with DSLRs of the same price point, with the DSLR still having a lead if you compare the higher-end models.

These cameras are a perfect choice for someone wanting to vastly improve the quality of their pictures but are not willing to deal with the bulk that a DSLR kit often entails.

We hope this short explanation of some of the most popular types of cameras on the market and their benefits has helped you on your path to choosing your new camera.

Once you outline why you want a new camera and what the camera’s main purpose is, you should be able to pinpoint which style is best for you, making your choice a lot easier.

If you need some more help or would like to discuss your options, the skilled staff at Ted’s camera stores would be more than happy to help.